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Daphne spots me and waddles over, her face lighting up in a warm smile.
"Dean!" she exclaims, wrapping me in a hug. She peers around, then asks, "Where's Ava?"
I chuckle, nodding towards the front of the cafe. "She's with Lily, looking at the trains. You're welcome to sit down."
Daphne shakes her head. "We're not staying, just here to pick up some of the cafe's famous Christmas cookies. It's a tradition," she explains.
As Cody heads to the counter to place their order, Daphne switches gears. "Speaking of traditions, are you going to the Christmas party?"
I shake my head, "Nah, fancy parties aren't really my thing. Besides, I don't have a date."
Daphne rolls her eyes. "Did you ask Lily?"
"No," I admit, and she looks at me as if I've lost my mind.
"Why not? Everyone can see she's crazy about you."
"Because she's Ava's nanny," I reply as if that explains everything.
Cody returns with a bag of cookies in hand. He snorts at my explanation, "So?"
"So, that makes it complicated," I say.
The last thing I need is my sister and brother-in-law meddling in my personal life.
We spend the next few minutes catching up. But my mind keeps drifting back to Lily. I can't help but wonder if Daphne is right.
Just then, Ava and Lily return from their train-gazing adventure. Ava's face is flushed with excitement, a sparkle in her eyes that only childhood wonder can produce. She runs straight to Daphne, wrapping her arms around her aunt in an enthusiastic hug.
"Auntie!" Ava squeals, throwing her arms around Daphne in a big hug.
"Hey, sweetheart," Daphne replies, her eyes lighting up with love for her niece. Suddenly, Ava's gaze lands on the bag of Christmas cookies in Cody's hands.
"Can I have a cookie?" she asks, her eyes wide and pleading.
"Ava, those are for your aunt," I start to say, but Daphne interrupts me with a mischievous look.
"Of course you can, sweetie," she says, reaching into the bag. "In fact, let's all take a cookie and make a wish. It's a Christmas tradition."
Lily hangs back a little, but Daphne turns to her with a warm smile. "You too, Lily."
Daphne reaches into the bag, pulls out a cookie, and offers it to me. With a meaningful look, she adds with a playful smile, "Who knows, maybe this year your Christmas wish could come true."
I've never been one to believe in magic or wishes, but as I look at Daphne, Ava, and Lily, I figure it can't hurt. Holding the cookie close, I silently make my wish:
Dear Santa, please let Lily Hopkins fall in love with me.
***
We arrive back to the house twenty minutes later. And as soon as we step inside, Lily switches back into full-time nanny mode. She hangs up her coat and turns to Ava.
"Okay, sweetie, it's getting late. Head upstairs and brush your teeth so you can start getting ready for bed."
Ava's face scrunches into a pout, her excitement from the diner rapidly deflating.
"Ava, do as Lily says. I'll be upstairs in a minute to tuck you in."
Ava looks at me, her big blue eyes welling up with disappointment. Still, she nods, understanding the finality in my tone.
